The Patrol Officer is the most visible member of the Police Department. Assigned to motorized patrol in marked police vehicles, officers of the patrol unit provide emergency services to the community 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. The patrol unit is directly responsible for the protection of life and property, prevention of criminal activity, preliminary investigation of offenses reported by the public, apprehension of criminal offenders, investigation of traffic accidents, and continuous preventive patrol of the community.